What time do they announce the ballon d'or winner

On 26 October 2026, football fans worldwide are preparing for the annual Ballon d'Or gala, which is scheduled to take place at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. The prestigious ceremony, organized by France Football, is set to commence at 8:00 PM Central European Time (CET). While the red carpet arrivals and pre-show festivities begin earlier in the evening, the official announcement of the men’s and women’s Ballon d'Or winners is expected to occur during the final segment of the broadcast, typically between 9:30 PM and 10:30 PM CET. The event will be broadcast globally, with organizers confirming that the reveal of the top-ranked players will be the climax of the night. Viewers in different time zones should adjust accordingly, as the announcement timing remains consistent with previous years' schedules. As the football world awaits the crowning of the best players of the 2025-2026 season, the organizers have emphasized that the results remain strictly confidential until the moment the envelopes are opened live on stage during the televised gala.